Egyptian Cat - Small

Egyptian Cat - Small

15.00

Sacred to the Ancient Egyptians, cats were the special attribute of the goddess Bast (Bastet) and were originally depicted as fiercely protective lions. Gradually, this image softened and the goddess Bastet was often depicted as having the body of a woman and the head of a domestic cat. She was perceived as a gentle, protective goddess.

The Ancient Egyptians loved Bastet so much that she became a household goddess, the protector of women, children and domestic cats. She was also the goddess of sunrise, music, dance, pleasure, as well as family, fertility and birth.

The cat was a symbol of Bastet. The Ancient Egyptians made many statues of cats like this one to honour Bastet.

Bastet was one of the daughters of the sun god, Ra. A great temple was built in her honour at Bubastis in the Delta.